Shine Bright Like A Diamond

“The only people who can change the world are the people whom the world cannot change.” -Josiah Samuel Harry

In his book Acres of Diamonds, American writer Russell Conwell tells the story of a farmer who lived on a large estate surrounded by lush vegetation, miles of beautiful forest, tranquil lakes and majestic rivers. In his business dealings with merchants and traders, the farmer heard stories of other farmers who made fortunes by discovering diamond mines.

With this knowledge in mind, the farmer decided to go on an expedition in search of those exquisite stones. To fund his expedition, the farmer decided to sell his farm. The first few years came and went, but to the farmer those years were like a few days. Many more years would pass, but that did not dissuade the farmer because he believed he would eventually find a diamond mine.

The toll of traveling by land and sea, however, finally wore him down and despondency set in. The farmer ultimately gave up his search for diamonds and died without fulfilling his life’s quest.

Meanwhile, the person who purchased the farm where the farmer once lived happened to be walking along the bank of a river bordering the farm and noticed a large and odd-looking rock. The rock would later be confirmed as one of the largest diamonds ever discovered. The place where this rock was found became one of the richest and most productive diamond mines in the world.

Conwell uses this story to illustrate that people too often underestimate their inherent potential and fail to grasp the essence of their true selves. He argues that most people are pygmies of their greatest possibilities. That is, people are not willing to accept (or it never occurs to them) that they have underutilized powers and untapped resources.

Once people are awakened to a greater understanding of self, they will realize that the diamond they have been searching for was in their possession all along—YOU are the diamond. When you begin living life from the inside out, from a consciousness level of enlightenment, the Universe itself will see to it that you fulfill the highest expression of self—to live fully as the person YOU are becoming.

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24 thoughts on “Shine Bright Like A Diamond”

Yes, the treasure lies within us – we only have to dig deep enough to find – our Self, to find us. It is said: the question lies in us and also the answer, macrocosm lies in the microcosm – we are drops of the Ocean Almighty, of all conscious. When the drop becomes merged again with the Ocean then: “I and my father are ONE” …

I like Conwell’s story, especially considering he made so much money telling it he was able to found Temple University. Yet, there is a little contradiction, in my opinion. It always seems that travel broadens the mind. Just going to another city for a day or two always seems to freshen the mind and expand perceptions. Returning to the place of origin after just a day seems to creates a different perspective on one’s surroundings.

Seems odd the farmer would travel round for years like that and never come to realize he himself was the diamond.

Thanks for providing more historical information about Conwell. The farmer’s story is symbolic of the reality many people choose to accept and live – and that’s an unfulfilling life. If more people would only recognize their true worth…

When you begin living life from the inside out, from a consciousness level of enlightenment, the Universe itself will see to it that you fulfill the highest expression of self—to live fully as the person YOU are becoming.

This is such an engaging post! I suspect there are many reasons a person might set out on a journey that leads them away from their true self, a journey so many of us seem to take. But so far as I can see, that alienation from our self almost invariably leads us to something much less than a full realization of our potential. So I think you nailed it when you wrote, “…people are not willing to accept (or it never occurs to them) that they have underutilized powers and untapped resources.” For how can you possibly know your full potential if you do not know your self? Thank you for a very insightful post!